Their meaning, the pictures they paint in the minds of those that hear them: they’re not always the same and to me at least, that makes them meaningless.

Take for instance the phrase ‘black widow’. Those words conjure the image of a spider, an eight-legged creature with the red imprint of an hourglass on its abdomen.

However, instead of speaking of an arachnid, of the resident of a spindly and dew-laden web, the people who whisper those words are talking about something much different.

They’re talking about me.

From what I’m told, I’m called the Black Widow because no man I’ve ever loved has survived.

Yet, I have no memory of any of it.

My new home leads me to the definition of another vague and meaningless word.

It’s a place where I’m supposed to seek refuge.

A place of retreat and security.

It’s a place where I’m supposed to be kept safe because I’m sick.

But the definition for this place is wrong and the word becomes meaningless when you’re tucked away and made silent by drugs and pretty white jackets.

My name is Alexandra Sutton and this is the story of what happened when I was imprisoned inside an Asylum.

So it’s been a while since I did a review. I think it has something to do with the book funk I was in. Couldn’t get into any book… until Asylum. Instantly, I was lifted up and the funk was over! Lily’s words wrapped around me and transported me off to another place. I neglected everything. My one aim: to finish the story and to learn what happened. Was Alex a murderer? Was she crazy? Questions I needed answered and fast!

Poor Alex. She wakes up in an asylum and can’t remember the last four years of her life. And she is accused of killing her lovers! They call her the Black Widow… and straight away, I thought of the song by Iggy Azalea and Rita Ora :P lol. You can’t help but feel Alex's pain and her fear as she tries to make sense of what people are telling her. And then we meet Dr. Jeremy Hutchins… Mmm, hottie doctor ;) With everything in the asylum, I desperately wanted Dr. Hutchins to be the good guy. There were moments were I was filled with doubt but other times where I just knew he had to be good! He was so protective of Alex and promised to keep her safe… aww!“She’ll take care of you, Alex, or she’ll be answering to me.” My eyes widened at the possessiveness I heard in his voice. Pulling away, I looked up at him with an obvious question written in my expression. “Why do you care how she treats me?” He searched my eyes, smiling shyly before answering me on a whisper. “Because you are my special focus, Alex. Go inside the room. All eyes are on you.” The asylum isn’t the best place in the world. As one of the characters said, they were “in the lowest level of Hell.” Most of the staff are cruel and sadistic. And damn... you can't help but love to hate them lol. Especially Dr. Ali and Joe. They enjoy tormenting the patients. Dr. Hutchins does seem to genuinely want to help the women there, especially Alex. He creates a new type of therapy to unlock Alex's mind.

Don't worry, there are hot scenes too! Here is a taste:

“I’ll do what I want, Alex. And by the looks of you, there’s not a damn thing you can do about it. If I want it slow, I’ll take you slow.”And at one point, Dr. Hutchins said: "My turn."

*fanning self* That's hot. Let me tell you, those scenes were very hot! Dr. Hutchins loves being in control and taking his time. I'd let him do whatever he wanted ;)

My favourite line in the story has to be Dr. Hutchins’ response to Alex when he tells her to make friends:“Those people are crazy. Why would I want to be friends with them?”He smiled, the white of his perfectly straight teeth glinting beneath the light of the room. “We’re all crazy, Ms. Sutton. Some of us are simply crazier than others.”Best line ever! <3 The other female patients are brilliant! Yes, they have done some crazy and disturbing things but I do love how they rally together when one of their own is threatened. It isn’t always easy. The threat of being shocked does make them hesitate but when it really matters, they come through for each other.

The epilogue has some incredible revelations. I was like this:

Yep, I totally was like that! ;) And no I won't say why. I want you to have the same experience.

The book has that American Horror Story/Sucker Punch feel. So if you loved either one or both, you’ll love this. I was completely sucked into the world that Lily weaved with her magic. I couldn't control myself! I had to keep reading! Definitely a page turner. Absolutely loved the cover, the story, the characters, basically everything! I don't usually read dark books but Lily's books always enthral and entrap me into their world so I can't escape... to be honest, I wouldn't want to ;) Her books are so unique that you know immediately that you are reading a Lily White novel. I instantly love them! Just upset that it is over :'( I want more Dr. Hutchins! I think this might be my favourite read for 2014 :) I cannot wait for Lily’s next book!

About the Author . . .

Lily White is a dark writer who likes to dabble on the taboo side of eroticism. Most of the time she can be found wandering around aimlessly while her mind is stuck in some twisted power play between two characters in her head. You may recognize her in public by the confused expression, random mumbling, and occasional giggle while thinking up a scene. Lily's favorite things in life are reading, thinking about reading, buying books for reading....and writing. Her other secret pleasure is meeting with her plot editor in public to discuss her books and watching the shocked expressions of the people around her that don't realize she's talking about a book. When Lily is not reading, writing, wandering or freaking out innocent bystanders, she's sleeping.